Lime green

LIME GREEN

Lime green is similar to our pastel green in definition, but different in practice. Our lime is much lighter and more vibrant than our pastel green.

HISTORY & ATTRIBUTES

Before

After

The very first appearances of the colour lime can be traced back to prehistoric times, when certain ceramics show humans wearing costumes made of bright green. In Ancient Egypt, green in general was a symbol of regeneration, good health and rebirth. During this period, green was closely associated with vegetation, vigour and growth.

Later, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, green represented a person's social background and profession, and was reserved for the ‘elite’ (merchants, bankers, the bourgeoisie). In the 18th and 19th centuries, green was the main colour used during the Romanticism movement, before becoming a politically symbolic colour during the Modern era. Before the 19th century, lime green was also frequently used to decorate the graves and coffins of the deceased, thought to repel spirits.

The word ‘lime green’ was first used in the 1890s.

The association of lime with nature, freshness and health is a relatively recent one, probably dating back to the early twentieth century, when the colour was used in advertisements for various food and cleaning products in particular. In recent years, lime green has become increasingly popular, thanks in part to its association with environmentalism and eco-friendly products.

How & why should I use it ?

A dominant colour in the natural environment, green is generally associated with vegetation, harmony and peace. Calming, harmonious and balanced, green is often depicted as a sanctuary from our everyday worries. These relaxing and refreshing connotations can be linked to its association with nature, which most people find comforting.

In the 1960s and 1970s, lime green was used extensively in fashion and psychedelic art, not least because the colour was said to represent the energy and vibrancy of the counterculture movement.

It has been proven that the human eye is able to differentiate between many more types of green than any other colour. According to science, this is because our ancestors were exposed to green more than any other colour, which also explains the colour's connotations with nature and vegetation. Lighter greens such as lime green are associated with creativity and freshness. Lime green, for example, is close to notions of confidence and high energy, promoting feelings of excitement and liveliness. This shade can have a much more inspiring and energising effect than other darker shades of green.

It is said that people who choose green are more reasonable, calm, inventive and analytical than the average person. Living by their own standards, these people are generally logical but also know how to appeal to their nurturing and caring side.

Lime green is mainly used for decorative elements: it may give a refreshing look, but it's best to keep it small, otherwise you'll get an aggressive, intense vibe. In interior design, it's mainly used for curtains, bed linen and furniture. In all cases, lime green represents a clear, youthful, bold expression.